GIHS alumnus to compete in men's physique competition

by Alex

Fri, Aug 17th 2012 11:15 pm

by Tiffany Hyman

Bodybuilder, actor
and former California governor Arnold Schwarzenegger once said, "Bodybuilding
is much like any other sport. To be successful, you must dedicate yourself 100
percent to your training, diet and mental approach." Grand Island native
fitness expert, Blast Fitness personal trainer and construction inspector
Michael Del Zoppo, could not agree with this statement more.

"A lot of people think
I'm crazy," said Del Zoppo, a 2006 Grand Island High School alumnus. "I have
learned nothing worthwhile comes easy, and it is important to do things you are
passionate about because it makes things more enjoyable."

Del Zoppo, pictured, has earned
some recent success in physique competitions and has won the right to compete
in Pittsburgh Aug. 31 for one of the most prestigious titles in his field.

"Most people don't
have the time or dedication to do what Mike does," said Niagara Falls native,
Jeff Linton, award-winning power lifter and friend of Del Zoppo. "They don't
have that drive and ambition."

And nothing does come
easy. Thanks to his hard work, dedication and numerous hours in the gym, Del
Zoppo has achieved many awards and self-satisfying accomplishments in bodybuilding,
powerlifting and physique. The 24-year-old is a celeb in the fitness world. In
the six years he has been training, he has set records: the New York state
record of 325 pounds with a pause at the bottom (adding an additional 30
pounds) and the American deadlifting record of 535 pounds.

"Mike is one of the
strongest guys I've ever met," said Town of Niagara native Blast Fitness
trainer Matthew Daniels, power lifter extraordinaire and Del Zoppo's workout
partner. "Mike usually wins all the time in his weight class. He has set New
York state records and American records. That is an amazing accomplishment."

Additionally, the GI
native placed second in the 2011 Mr. Buffalo competition in the bantamweight
class. But the accomplishments do not stop there ...not even close.

In March, Del Zoppo
competed in a new division of the National Physique Committee, Men's Physique.
The Arnold Classic, run by the one and only Schwarzenegger, is one of the most
recognizable shows in the world. The competition is invite-only, and background
checks are run on the contenders to ensure they are qualified to do the show.

"There were so many
people from Vegas, Hollywood, all the big cities, and then there was me from
little Grand Island," joked Del Zoppo. "It was very nerve-wracking at first,
but once I hit the stage, all the nerves went away."

Del Zoppo overall
placed fourth out of 16 in the show nationwide, which means great things to
come. The top five are qualified to turn pro. On Aug. 31, he will be competing
at the North American Championships in Pittsburgh. The judges from the show
will pick just one winner and award them the title of "professional." According
to Del Zoppo, turning pro is the highest achievement in the competition world
and leads to sponsorships and cash prizes. In the show, judges look for size,
symmetry and marketability for future poses in magazines. The GI native will
have to wear board shorts and strike a natural pose with his hands placed on
his hips.

"I like to call it
the pretty boy contest," said Del Zoppo. "Everyone who competes dreams about
becoming a pro. It proves you have what it takes to compete with the best of
the best."

But Del Zoppo's
preparation for the show does not occur just in the gym. In order to maintain
his physique, he has to follow a very strict diet, consisting of chicken, fish,
lean ground turkey, very few carbs and lots of water. He eats six meals a day,
with each meal measured, weighed, packed and ready to eat every two to three
hours.

"I've been prepping
since my last show," said Del Zoppo. "I'm constantly doing this. I never really
come off my diet."

"It takes a lot of
time out of your relationships," said Linton. "To do an hour of gym and cardio
is a lot, and most people do not have the time and dedication to do something
like that. You have to make that kind of time. You have to plan your days out."

With little time
left, Del Zoppo continues to push hard. In addition to prepping meals, working
out for the show, and working full-time in construction, he also works nights
and weekends at Blast Fitness in Amherst. Even though he has a hectic schedule,
he remains optimistic and enthusiastic.

"Mike has the full
package," said Daniels. I wouldn't trade my workout partner ... he's always
trying to do better than before and improve. I'm always pushing him, and he's
always pushing me. He has strength, size and the whole nutritional background.
He's an all-around gym rat. He doesn't settle. That's a really good
characteristic to have."

"He is a very
determined individual," said Linton. "You don't see that in young kids anymore.
I don't think people realize the time and effort it takes with what he is
doing. He is one of the most dedicated people I've ever met."

For more information
on Del Zoppo's personal training, call 716-691-4292 or 716-598-9707. Blast Fitness is
located at 3880 E. Robinson Road in Amherst.